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The federal government announced it will match the United States and supply Volkswagen with up to $13-billion in annual production subsidies for its new electric-vehicle battery plant.
The arrangement will be formally announced in St. Thomas, Ont., on Friday, but was confirmed to The Globe by a federal official. The proposal is nearly double the estimated $7-billion cost of building the facility, and also includes about $700-million in more-immediate support for capital costs, making it the most generous subsidy that Canada has ever provided for an automaker to locate a factory here.
Volkswagen vehicles are seen at a dealership in Ottawa, on Thursday, April 20, 2023.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
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University of Montreal won’t return Chinese businessmen’s 2016 donation, will divert money to democracy-building efforts
The University of Montreal says it will keep a large donation pledged in 2016 to its faculty of law by two wealthy Chinese businessmen at the centre of an apparent attempt to influence Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
University of Montreal rector Daniel Jutras said what remains of the amount the university received from Zhang Bin and Niu Gensheng will be redirected to other projects. The university has said it received $550,000. The remaining unspent sum is $506,791.19.
Université de Montréal's campus is seen in Montreal, Nov. 14, 2017.Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
Union leader accuses government of trying to undermine its strike action
Language used by management about public servants’ right to keep working during a strike is at odds with the federal government’s pledge to legislate a ban on replacement workers during strikes and undermines the union’s strike action, the union president representing Canada Revenue Agency workers says.
The union voiced its concerns over comments made by government officials on Wednesday. The officials said public servants who choose to continue working and not go on strike will continue to be paid.
The CRA workers are asking for a 22.5-per-cent wage hike over three years. A larger group of about 120,000 workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada are seeking a 13.5-per-cent wage increase over three years. Ottawa has proposed a 9-per-cent increase over three years to both bargaining groups.
Read more:
- For striking federal workers, public sympathy could play a big role in the eventual outcome
- Opinion: Think of the managers: Non-union civil servants need raises, too
- Opinion: The federal public servants’ strike is backing Ottawa into a corner
Revenue Canada workers form a picket line as over 150,000 PSAC federal employees begin the second day of their strike across the country, April 20, 2023, in Montreal.Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
Millions face worsening hunger in Sudan as clashes and looting continue
Millions of people could be thrown into hunger by the eruption of violence in Sudan after the latest failed ceasefire in military clashes that have killed or injured thousands over the past six days, the United Nations has warned.
Explosions and gunfire were heard across the Sudanese capital Khartoum and several other cities on Thursday as Sudan’s army tried to crush its former ally, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in a power struggle that has inflicted death and destruction across the country.
Read more:
Sudanese army soldiers, loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, man a position in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, on April 20, 2023.-/AFP/Getty Images
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Also on our radar
Alleged illegal agent Natalia Burlinova says she is victim of ‘Russo-phobia’: The woman accused this week by the U.S. government of operating as an illegal agent of Russian influence says she is a victim of polarizing times.
Police investigating major gold theft at Pearson airport: Thieves made off with a container holding more than $20-million worth of gold and other valuables from a cargo facility at Toronto Pearson International Airport this week.
Japan’s Sumitomo to vote for Teck’s proposed split: Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. is standing by long-time partner Norman B. Keevil and says it will vote for Teck Resources Ltd.’s proposed split into two companies next week, as the outcome hangs in the balance.
Imperial Oil CEO, executives called before Commons committee to explain toxic spill: Imperial Oil Ltd. says it still can’t say how much tainted water has leaked from a tailings pond at its Kearl oil sands project over the past 11 months, as MPs lambasted the company’s executives Thursday for an abject failure to look after affected communities.
The complete guide to saving money on your taxes in 2023: Whether you’re a new investor, a newcomer, or a soon-to-be retiree, Salmaan Farooqui has the tax tips you need.
John Tavares, Mitch Marner lead Maple Leafs in 7-2 rout of Tampa Bay: The Maple Leafs got over the case of yips that affected them on Tuesday and overwhelmed the Lightning 7-2 in the second game of their playoff series on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.
Morning markets
Global stocks struggled on Friday as investors pored over economic data for clues on the likelihood of more interest rate hikes and possible recession in the United States as a new earnings season unfolded. The MSCI all country stock index was down 0.1 per cent, though it remains about 8 per cent firmer for the year. Wall Street futures were a touch lower as U.S. stocks test the top of a range that has held for months. The Canadian dollar was trading down at 73.94 US cents.
What everyone’s talking about
To rid the world of Putin, we must support Russian heroes like Vladimir Kara-Murza
“As the democratic world continues to support Ukraine’s fight to repel Russia’s invasion and regain lost territories, it should be looking to a post-Putin future. It may come sooner than anyone expects.” – Marcus Kolga
With our outdated defence policy, Canada isn’t prepared for today’s threats
“It is time for a serious updating of Canada’s defence policy to fit the times. More than an incremental fine-tuning of the 2017 defence policy statement, the government has to recognize the seismic shift in geopolitical tensions and risks, and draw the obvious conclusion: Canada needs to spend more, and more effectively, on defence and security. Our national interest and sovereignty depend on it.” – Kevin Lynch and Jim Mitchell
Today’s editorial cartoon
Illustration by Brian Gable
Living better
Seven tips for tasting wine like a pro
During a visit to the Hugel family’s winery, Hugel & Fils, in 2001, Christopher Waters was lucky enough to taste with legendary French winemaker Jean “Johnny” Hugel, who placed two wine glasses in front of each guest and proceeded to pour different samples into each. Waters says Hugel delivered a perfect illustration of how comparative wine tastings can improve one’s wine tasting skills, and is letting us in on seven tips for your next wine tasting.
Moment in time: April, 21, 1951
Bill Barilko scores overtime goal to lift Leafs to Stanley Cup
Bashing Bill Barilko’s last goal of his life, an overtime shot that won the Stanley Cup for the Toronto Maple Leafs, April 21, 1951, over the Montreal Canadiens. Barilko, seen in midair after getting his shot away, died in an air crash before the next season was underway.Turofsky
His story has been immortalized by the Tragically Hip song Fifty Mission Cap, from their 1992 album Fully Completely. Bill Barilko was a scrappy defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their late 1940s heyday. Just 21 when he was called up to the NHL team in 1947, Mr. Barilko helped the Leafs win four Stanley Cups over a five-year span (1947, 1948, 1949 and 1951). During those seasons, he was more often found in the penalty box than on the scoring sheet. But on this day in 1951, during overtime in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens, he took a pass from right winger Howie Meeker and scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory. Later that summer, Mr. Barilko left Porcupine Lake, Ont., on a fly-in fishing trip to northern Quebec. The float plane disappeared on its return. The Maple Leafs did not win another Stanley Cup for 11 years – until 1962. That was the year the wreckage of Mr. Barilko’s plane was located, several kilometres off course, north of Cochrane, Ont. The discovery of Mr. Barilko’s fate coincided with the start of another Leaf dynasty, which won Cups in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967. Bill Waiser.
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